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| NCAA officials will now have to pick between BNC and Cignal on which will broadcast the games. Joseph Sanvictores (file photo) |
MANILA—The NCAA is set to announce its new broadcast partner for Season 102, with Bilyonaryo News Channel (BNC) and Cignal emerging as the two remaining contenders for the television rights.
BNC’s proposal emphasized free-to-air coverage, extensive digital promotion, and making the NCAA its flagship sports property.
The network also highlighted its strong online presence, citing more than half a billion social media engagements over the past year.
Cignal also submitted its bid for the rights, setting up a final showdown between the two broadcasters.
As reported last April, ABS-CBN, PTV, and Net 25 launched their own bids to take over GMA as the new NCAA broadcaster, but talks apparently were stalled eventually.
At that time, Cignal did not make a bidding move, but a source told Dugout Philippines that the network also behind TV5 placed its formal bid just last week.
On the other hand, BNC met with NCAA officials during the league's turnover ceremonies on June 9 to formally submit its own bid.
Solar Sports, which broadcasts the MPBL games, made a late pitch as well for the broadcast rights.
The NCAA is expected to announce its decision in the first week of July, with the winning network set to usher in a new era of coverage for the country’s oldest collegiate league.
